\n<\/p>\n
Scotland and Denmark would be on 10 points and both would be guaranteed to be, at worst, in the play-offs.<\/p>\n
The Danes would still lead on goal difference, and that is the first deciding factor if teams are level on points – not head-to-head.<\/p>\n
For those play-offs, the 12 runners up – plus the four best Nations League group winners who fail to finish top two in their sections – will be drawn into four sets.<\/p>\n
Each set will have a one-legged semi-final – with the seeded team at home – and a final. So, basically, two games to decide which four teams join the World Cup party.<\/p>\n
However, Scotland will be hoping they can get the job done without the need for such messiness.<\/p>\n
We can probably assume Denmark will beat Belarus at home in November, which would move them to 13 points. <\/p>\n
If Scotland beat an already-out Greece in Athens, they would match that tally, setting up a winner-takes-all game at Hampden.<\/p>\n
A draw in that one on 18 November would likely favour the Danes, given the goal difference disparity.<\/p>\n
Should the Scots draw in Athens, victory over Denmark would still be enough to win the group. However, defeat in Greece would require a handsome victory in that final game to give Clarke’s side any chance of automatic qualification.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n